Lighthouses of Southern England

This page includes lighthouses along the south coast of
England, in the counties of Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, and Dorset.
This coastline, facing the English Channel, features several of the oldest
and most famous light stations in the world. Southampton is the most important
port on this coast, but there are many smaller ports.

The British system of lighthouse administration is decentralized, with
the major towers under the management of Trinity
House (a corporation chartered by the Crown) and smaller towers generally
under the control of local port authorities. This system has generally
assisted lighthouse preservation, and so has the British custom of building
very sturdy stone lighthouses at most of the stations. Most of the onshore
lighthouses are accessible to visitors, and several of them are major
tourist attractions.

These are among the very first lighthouses in Volume A of the Admiralty
List of Lights & Fog Signals. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS
World List of Lights.U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication
114.

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); continuous red light. 6
m (20 ft) pentagonal wooden tower, painted white; the light is shown through
three elliptical windows near the top of the tower. An excellent closeup
is available, Trabas has a photo,
and Google has a satellite
view. Located on West Hill, on the west side of Hastings Old Town. The
area is accessible via the West
Hill Lift, a cliff railway that climbs the hill from George Street. Site
open, tower closed. Operator: unknown. ARLHS ENG-285; Admiralty A0858.1; NGA
1168.

1971 (lightship station established 1875). Active; focal plane 28 m (93 ft); white flash every 20 s. Octagonal
tower with lantern mounted at one corner of a rectangular 1-story keeper's
quarters, all supported by a huge cylindrical concrete column. The roof of
the keeper's quarters is a helipad. Tower painted white with a single red
horizontal band; keeper's quarters painted white. An excellent closeup photo is available, Photographers Resource also has a closeup (second photo on the page), a page for the lighthouse has many photos, Ian Paterson has a long-range view from Eastbourne.
The station was automated in 1994. Located in the English Channel about 9
km (5.5 mi) east southeast of Eastbourne. Accessible only by boat. Site and
tower closed. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-257; Admiralty A0843; NGA
1144.

* Sovereign Harbour Marina (Langney
Point, Eastbourne)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three white flashes every
15 s. 10 m (33 ft) round unpainted concrete tower; the light is mounted on a 1-story
observation room atop the tower. Trabas has a photo,
and Google has a street view and a satellite
view. This is Martello
Tower 66, one of many fortifications built along the Channel coast in
the 1800s. Located on the south side of the entrance to Eastbourne's harbor.
Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A0848; NGA 1150.

1902. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); two white flashes, separated
by 4 s, every 20 s. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). 43 m (141 ft) tapered
round granite tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square
concrete pier. Lighthouse painted white with a broad red horizontal
band; lantern is also red. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). Andy Beecroft's photo is at right, Werning has
a good photo,
Trabas has a fine closeup,
Wikimedia has numerous photos, Huelse has a historic postcard
view, Marinas.com has aerial
photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite
view. This lighthouse replaced the Belle Tout Light (next
entry). Rarely is such a large lighthouse so dwarfed by its surroundings.
In January 2010 Trinity House proposed to deactivate this light, but
following opposition from local boaters it agreed in May to continue
the light at reduced power. The fog horn will be discontinued. In 2011, there was concern about the need to repaint and restore the lighthouse, a task Trinity House said it could not afford. In October, preservationists began a campaign to raise the funds for repainting of the iconic red and white daymark. This campaign reached its £27,000 goal in November 2012, and the lighthouse was repainted in September and October 2013. The organization created for this campaign continues to raise funds for maintenance of the lighthouse. Located
on the beach below the Seven Sisters Cliffs about 5 km (3 mi) southwest
of Eastbourne and 2.5 km (1.5 mi) east of the Belle Tout lighthouse.
Site and tower closed; the lighthouse is best viewed, with care, from
the clifftop above. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-005; Admiralty
A0840; NGA 1140.

1832 (James Walker). Inactive since 1899. 14 m (47 ft) round stone
tower with lantern and gallery attached to modern 2-story residence.
Tower unpainted, lantern painted white. Paul Russon's photo is at right, Werning has a good closeup,
another closeup photo
is available, Wikipedia has an article
with a photo, Huelse has a historic postcard
view, Marinas.com has aerial
photos, and Google has a satellite
view. The lighthouse was replaced by the Beachy Head Light because
its light, shown at a height of 87 m (285 ft) from atop the Seven
Sisters Cliffs, was often obscured by fog or low cloud. The lighthouse
was built 30 m (100 ft) from the edge of the cliff, but by the 1990s
erosion had brought it nearly to the edge. In 1999
the lighthouse was relocated 15 m (50 ft) inland. In 2007 the lighthouse
was listed for sale at £850,000. The Belle Toute Preservation
Trust was formed and tried to purchase the lighthouse and convert
it to a bed breakfast inn. These plans were approved by local authorities
in September 2007, but before funds could be raised the lighthouse
was sold
in March 2008 to David and Barbara Davison Shaw, who announced
that they would convert the lighthouse to a bed and breakfast inn
and tea shop. Renovations were in progress in 2009, and the accommodations
were open for the 2010 season. The new owners also say they think
the lighthouse will have to be moved again within the next 20 years.
Located off Beachy Head Road about 6 km (3.5 mi) southwest of Eastbourne.
Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby.
Owner/site manager: Belle Tout
Lighthouse. ARLHS ENG-006.

1883. Demolished 2006. 11.5 m (38 ft) square iron skeletal tower
with lantern and gallery; watch room enclosed by wood siding. Trabas
has a photo,
Tristan Forward has a sunrise photo,
and Werning also has a good photo.
This little lighthouse was demolished in early 2006 and replaced by
a modern post light (focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); green light, 5 s
on, 5 s off). Not to be confused with another Newhaven East Pier Light
on the Firth of Forth in Edinburgh, Scotland. Located at the end of
the east pier of Newhaven. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open.
Operator: Newhaven Port Authority. ARLHS ENG-235; Admiralty A0832;
NGA 1132.

1891. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white light, two 1 s occultations
every 10 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern
and gallery, painted white. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). Alan Burke's photo is at right, Werning has
a good photo,
Trabas has a photo,
Jason Ryan also has a good photo,
Marinas.com has aerial
photos, and Google has a satellite
view. Located at the end of the long breakwater on the west side
of the harbor of Newhaven. Accessible by walking the breakwater, which
is popular for fishing and sightseeing. Site open, tower closed. Operator:
Newhaven Port Authority. ARLHS ENG-086; Admiralty A0830; NGA 1136.

Brighton and Hove Lighthouse

* Brighton Marina West Breakwater

Date unknown (probably late 1970s). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); quick-flashing red
light. 5 m (17 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white
with a red horizontal band. Trabas has a photo,
and Google has a satellite
view. Located at the end of the west breakwater enclosing the
marina, on the east side of Brighton. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Brighton Marina. ARLHS
ENG-284; Admiralty A0826; NGA 1121.

1967 (Richards Shipbuilders Ltd., Lowestoft, Suffolk). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white flash every 5 s. 40.5 m (133 ft) steel lightship, painted red. The light is shown from a lantern on a round light tower amidships. The ship has served many stations over the years. Trinity House has a page with two photos. Tom Donoghue has a photo of LV 22 moored in the Stour estuary off
Harwich, Essex, on 20 May 2008. Shipspotting.com has a photo of the ship carrying the nameplate of the Greenwich station, taken at Harwich on 18 October 2009. YouTube has a slideshow of the ship being towed into the Wear for repairs on 27 October 2011; on this occasion it has no nameplate. The station is located on the Meridian of Greenwich (longitude 0°), 46 km (29 mi) south of Newhaven. Accessible only by boat. Site open, vessel closed. Owner/site manager: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-269; Admiralty A0839; NGA 1128.

West Sussex Lighthouses

Adur District Lighthouses

* Shoreham Middle
Pier Range Front (2?)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white light, 3 s
on, 2 s off. 6 m (20 ft) building, originally the harbormaster's office,
with light mounted on the roof. Also on the roof is the fog horn (blast
every 20 s) and traffic control lights. Trabas has a closeup photo,
but Simon Carey's 2007 photo
shows substantial alteration to the structure. Google has a satellite
view and a street view across the harbor. Located at the end of the middle pier, inside the inlet
at Shoreham-by-Sea, about 8 km (5 mi) west of Brighton. Site open,
tower closed. Operator: Shoreham
Port Authority. ARLHS ENG-313; Admiralty A0814; NGA 1112.

1846. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 10 s.
12 m (39 ft) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse
is unpainted gray stone; lantern is black. Peter Trimming's photo is at right, Werning
has a fine photo,
Trabas has a good photo,
Wikimedia has two photos, a wintry photo
of the beach and lighthouse is available, and Google has a street view and a satellite
view. The lantern was reconstructed in 1985. An active lifeboat
station is adjacent to the lighthouse. Located on Brighton Road
(A259) near the base of the middle pier in Shoreham-by-Sea, about
8 km (5 mi) west of Brighton. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Shoreham
Port Authority. ARLHS ENG-125; Admiralty A0814.1; NGA 1116.

Arun District Lighthouse

* Littlehampton East Pier Range
Rear (2)

Date unknown (station established 1848). Active; focal plane 9 m
(30 ft); light 6 s on, 1.5 s off, showing white over the channel to
the south southeast and yellow toward the south southwest. Approx.
7 m (23 ft) concrete tower with four tapering buttresses and a cylindrical
lantern. Werning has a good photo,
Paul Gillett has a 2010 photo,
Trabas also has a photo,
Wikimedia has a view from the harbor, and Google has a satellite
view and a distant street view. Located near the foot of the pier, at the end of Pier Road,
on the Littlehampton waterfront. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Littlehampton
Harbour Board. ARLHS ENG-066; Admiralty A0801.1; NGA 1084.

1866. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 5 s. Approx.
7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern centered on 1-story square service building,
mounted atop the fort. Light tower painted red with one white horizontal band. Werning has a photo,
Trabas also has a good photo,
Wikimedia has a photo,
and Google has a satellite
view. Spitbank Fort is one of four circular, heavily armored stone
forts built off Portsmouth between 1860 and 1885. Each of the
forts has a light tower. The fort is a privately owned tourist attraction.
Starting in June 2006, overnight accommodations were available. However,
in 2010 the fort was closed for renovations; it reopened for
2011. Located in the harbor entrance about 1 km (0.6 mi) off Southsea.
Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed in 2010. Owner: Clarenco. Operator: Spitbank
Fort. ARLHS ENG-260; Admiralty A0688; NGA 0948.

1866. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); green light, 1 s on, 1 s
off. Light on a short mast mounted atop the fort. Trabas has a photo,
Chris Gunns has a closeup,
and another photo
is available. In 2012, the fort was purchased by Clarenco, the owner of Spitbank Fort; the intention is to develop the fort as a museum. Located on the east side of the Portsmouth entrance
channel about 3.5 km (2.1 mi) south of Southsea. Accessible only by
boat. Site and tower closed. Owner: Clarenco. Operator: unknown. Site manager: private.
ARLHS ENG-225; Admiralty A0750; NGA 1028.

1946. Decommissioned 1993. 36. 3 m (119 ft) two-masted steel lightship;
hexagonal skeletal light tower with lantern and gallery amidships.
Entire vessel painted green. Built by Philip and Son, Ltd., of Dartmouth.
Peter Trimming has a good photo,
Christine Matthews has a photo,
and Google has a satellite
view and a street view across the harbor. The ship served first as the Royal Sovereign and
was posted to numerous stations around the English coast before returning to the Royal Sovereign station as the last lightship posted there in 1971. Sold as a marina club vessel, she was named
Mary Mouse 2 for the wives of two directors of the Portsmouth
Yacht Club. However, the name Haslar Marina appears on the
side of the vessel. Formerly available only for business functions,
the lighthouse was opened to the public as a restaurant in 2010. Located
at the Haslar
Marina on Haslar Road on the north side of the harbor in Gosport; Marinas.com
has aerial photos.
Site open, vessel open for dining daily. Owner: Dean & Reddyhoff Ltd. Site manager: The Lightship Bar and Restaurant. ARLHS ENG-319.

1914 (J.I. Thornycroft Ltd.). Decommissioned 1978. 24 m (78 ft)
single-masted steel lightship, painted red. The light was shown from
a large lantern at the top of the mast. Iris Klempau also has a web
page for the ship. Formerly stationed off Calshot Spit, at the western entrance
to Southampton Water from the Solent; there's a good photo of the ship on station. The decommissioned ship was displayed on
land for many years at the Ocean Village Marina in
Southampton. Steve Daniels's photo is at right shows it at this location, and a 2008 photo is available. In November 2010 the ship was removed and relocated to Berth 50 near the cruise ship terminal. Julius Agricola has an August 2013 photo of the relocated lightship, and Bing has a satellite view. The plan was for the ship to be one of the exhibits of a museum called Aeronautica. However, in 2012 the museum site was redirected to another purpose. The ultimate destination of the ship is not known at this time. The lightship was replaced off Calshot Spit by a lightfloat,
which was removed in 2010. Site status unknown. Owner: Aeronautica at Southampton. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS ENG-021.

New Forest District Lighthouses

* Beaulieu River (Millennium
Beacon)

2000. Active; focal plane approx. 8 m (27 ft); sector light. Approx.
6m (20 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Trabas has
a closeup photo,
another good photo
is available, Gillian Moy has a photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite
view. This lighthouse was built as a Millennium project by the
town of Beaulieu. The site is on the grounds of Lepe House, a manor
owned by the local member of Parliament. Located on the north side
of the entrance to the Beaulieu River from the Solent, about 3 km
(2 mi) southeast of Exbury. Site and tower closed. Operator: unknown.
Site manager: private. ARLHS ENG-277; Admiralty A0553.15.

1866 (station established 1786). Inactive since 1911. Circular granite
tower built on the walls of Hurst Castle (1544). The tower is unpainted;
lantern painted dark blue or gray. Werning has a good photo,
Photographer's Resource has an excellent page
for the Hurst Point lighthouses, Nick Grace has a 2008 photo
of both low lighthouses, Wikimedia has Dave Pape's photo of both lighthouses, and Google has a satellite
view. The original lighthouse was demolished. Two rooms in the
Castle house a Trinity House exhibition on lighthouses, and the former
optic of the Egypt Point Light (see below) is displayed outside. The
Castle also has a page
with historical background. Located at the end of a narrow spit extending
into the Solent south of Keyhaven. Site and castle open (admission
fee), towers closed. The castle is accessible by passenger ferry from
Keyhaven from April through October, or by a hike of 2.5 km (1.5 mi)
across the spit. Owner: English
Heritage. Site manager: Hurst
Castle. ARLHS ENG-253.

1911 (station established 1786). Inactive since 1997. Square metal
tower with lantern and gallery, built on a square skeletal platform
straddling the castle wall. After it was deactivated the tower was
painted warship gray, as seen in Werning's photo, Nick Grace's 2008 photo
of both low lighthouses, and Dave Pape's photo of both lighthouses, but sometime in 2008-09 it was repainted
in its historic red. A Christmas 2009 photo
is available, and Google has a satellite
view. In June 2010, Trinity House transferred ownership of the
lighthouse to English Heritage. Located at the end of a narrow spit
extending into the Solent south of Keyhaven. The castle is accessible
by passenger ferry from Keyhaven from April through October, or by
a hike of 2.5 km (1.5 mi) across the spit. Owner: English
Heritage. Site manager: Hurst
Castle. ARLHS ENG-058; Admiralty A0538.

1867 (station established 1812). Active; focal plane 23 m (76 ft);
four flashes every 15 s, white or red depending on direction; also
a directional light, white, red or green depending on exact direction
is shown at a focal plane of 19 m (62 ft) over the Needles Channel
for ships entering the Solent. 26 m (85 ft) round stone tower with
lantern and gallery, painted white. The original 1st order Fresnel
lens is in use for the main light; the directional lights (added in
1997) are shown from high-intensity projectors mounted in the watch
room below the lantern. 2-story keeper's house and other light station
buildings. A photo is at right, Werning has a nice photo,
Trabas has a photo,
Missy Osborn has a fine photo
taken from the castle wall, Wikimedia has photos, Marinas.com has aerial
photos, and Google has a satellite
view. Located near the point, just outside the wall of Hurst Castle.
Accessible by passenger ferry from Keyhaven or by walking along the
spit from Milford-on-Sea (about 6 km or 4 mi roundtrip). Site and
tower closed, but the lighthouse can easily be viewed from outside
the walls of the station. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-057;
Admiralty A0538.1; NGA 0596.

Hurst Point High Light, Keyhaven, August 2006
Flickr Creative Commons photo
by lilyslucas

Isle of Wight Lighthouses

Note: Separated from Hampshire by the Solent, the Isle
of Wight has an area of 258 square kilometers (100 square miles) and a
population of about 135,000. A popular resort area, the island is accessible
by air or by ferries from
Portsmouth, Southampton, or Lymington.

1897. Inactive since 1989. 7.5 m (25 ft) post light with gallery,
centered on a circular 1-story metal equipment shelter. Gallery and
base painted white, post red. A 2007 closeup photo
is available, Mark Pilbeam has a nice photo,
and Google has a closeup street view and a satellite
view. This modest but unusual light is very accessible and well
known. Located near the northernmost point of the Isle of Wight, on
the Egypt Esplanade (Queen's Road) near Egypt Hill Road in Cowes.
Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ENG-180.

1866. Inactive since 2010. Approx 10 m (33 ft) octagonal tower with gallery
attached to 1-story keeper's house, mounted atop the fort. Lantern removed;
light displayed from a short mast. Colin Babb has a good photo,
Trabas has a distant view by Arno Siering, and another photo is available.
The fort was developed as a luxury hotel, with helipads and a large indoor swimming pool. This venture failed around 2005 and the fort went on the market. After it was repossessed by the mortgage holder, it was sold in March 2012 to Clarenco, the owner of the Spithead and Horse Sand Forts (see above)t; the intention is to develop the fort once again as a luxury hotel and conference center. Located on the west side of the Portsmouth entrance channel about 3 km (2
mi) northeast of Seaview and 4 km (2.4 mi) south of Southsea. Accessible only
by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: unknown. Owner/site manager: Clarenco.
ARLHS ENG-237; ex-Admiralty A0752; NGA 1032.

1920 (lightship station established 1819). Active; focal plane 27
m (89 ft); white flash every 10 s. 27 m (89 ft) cylindrical steel
and concrete tower topped by a helipad and a small red lantern. Fog
horn (2 blasts every 30 s). Trabas has a distant view by Arno Siering (The Nab is in the distance beyond the No Man's Land Fort). This unusual tower was built for coastal
defense in 1918, but the project was abandoned with the end of World
War I. Trinity House converted the structure to a light tower and
used it to replace a lightship station marking the beginning of the
approach to Spithead and Portsmouth Harbour. The tower assumed a permanent
3° lean when it was emplaced. An antiaircraft battery mounted
on the tower shot down several German aircraft during the Battle of
Britain in World War II. Valerie Martin has posted a fascinating article
on the history of the tower. Located in the English Channel southeast
of Bembridge, just off the eastern end of the Isle of Wight. Site
and tower closed. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-082; Admiralty
A0780; NGA 1048.

1838. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white flash every 5 s;
a continuous red light (focal plane 35 m (115 ft)) is shown from a
window of the tower westward over the Atherfield Ledge. 26 m (86 ft)
hexagonal cylindrical stone tower with lantern and a medieval-style
stone gallery. A similar, lower tower adjacent to the front of the
lighthouse is a fog signal tower built in 1932 (fog signal inactive
since 1987). The two towers, both painted white, are known locally
as the Cow and the Calf. Alistair Young's photo is at right, Trabas
has a great closeup
by Arno Siering, Wikimedia has photos, Huelse has a historic postcard
view showing the lighthouse as it appeared before the fog signal
tower was added, and Google has a satellite
view. This lighthouse was originally 36.5 m (120
ft) tall; it was reduced in height in 1875 because the light was too
often obscured by low clouds and fog. From 1323 to 1530 a navigational
light was shown from the tower of a church near the location of the
lighthouse. The lighthouse itself escaped damage during a German air
raid on 1 June 1943, but the three keepers were killed. Located near
Niton at the southernmost point of the Isle of Wight. Site open, tower
open to guided
tours three to five days each week, June 1 through mid October.
Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-143; Admiralty A0774; NGA 1064.

1785. Never completed. 5 m (17 ft) unfinished round stone tower. Google has a satellite view. Intended as a lighthouse, this tower was abandoned when it was realized that frequent fogs would render it useless when most needed. Located near Chale, about 2 km
(1.3 mi) north northwest of the St. Catherine's lighthouse (previous entry). Site
open, tower closed.

1328. Inactive since at least 1547. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone
tower with a pyramidal top and four buttresses, making the building look remarkably
like a rocket built of stone. A portfolio of photos
is available, also a good closeup,
Wikimedia has several photos, and Google has a satellite
view. Originally there was a chimney opening at the top of the tower.
A fire was maintained on the top floor and could be seen through eight openings.
The lighthouse was built by Walter de Godeton, a nearby landowner who was
convicted of receiving at least 53 casks of white wine from a ship that had
wrecked in the fog on St. Catherine's Point. As punishment, he was ordered
to build a lighthouse and an adjoining oratory where priests would say mass
for the souls of sailors lost at sea. The lighthouse was apparently in regular
operation until Henry VIII closed Catholic religious institutions in 1547.
Built atop a high hill, the light had a focal plane of about 240 m (785 ft).
Only foundation ruins remain of the oratory. Located about 2 km
(1.3 mi) north northwest of the St. Catherine's lighthouse and 180 m (200 yd) northwest of the St. Catherine's Hill (Mustard Pot) tower (previous entry). Site
open, tower closed. ARLHS ENG-293.

1859 (James Walker). Station established 1785. Active; focal plane
24 m (80 ft); white, red, or green light depending on direction, two
2 s occultations every 20 s. 31 m (102 ft) cylindrical granite tower,
incorporating keeper's quarters, with lantern and a helipad built
above the lantern. The original 2nd order Fresnel lens remains in
use. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. Fog horn (two
blasts every 30 s). Christine Matthews's photo is at right, Trabas has a similar photo by Arno Siering, a good closeup
is available, Paul Woolrich has a 2006 photo,
Wikimedia has many photos, a 1982 photo
shows the lighthouse before the helipad was added, Huelse has a historic
postcard
view, Marinas.com has aerial
photos, and Google has a satellite
view. This famous lighthouse marks the western entrance to the
Solent, the protected sound behind the Isle of Wight. In 2010, a £500,000
project rebuilt the base of the lighthouse, which was threatened by
erosion by the sea. Located at the rocky western tip of the Isle of
Wight, west of Alum Bay. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse
can be seen from overlooks in the nearby Needles
Park. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-083; Admiralty A0528;
NGA 0584.

1881. Active; focal plane 45 m (149 ft); white flash every 10 s.
12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery,
painted white with green trim, attached to 1-story keeper's quarters.
250 mm lens in use; the original Fresnel lens is on display at The
Science Museum in South Kensington. The fog signal structure in
front of the lighthouse is no longer in use, but the keeper's houses
are available for overnight accommodations. Jim Champion's photo is
at right, Photographer's Resource has a fine page
for the lighthouse, Trabas has a good photo
by Arno Siering, Wikimedia has photos, Marinas.com has aerial
photos, Huelse has a historic postcard
view, and Google has a fine satellite
view of the station. Located atop a cliff in Durlston County Park,
at the end of Lighthouse Road about 3 km (2 mi) south of Swanage.
Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can easily be viewed from
outside the walls of the station. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-001;
Admiralty A0496; NGA 0544.

1970s (station established 1895). Active; focal plane approx. 100
m (328 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 6 m (20 ft) signal mast adjacent
to a 1-story coastwatch building. Stephen Williams has a photo,
Trabas has a photo,
and Google has a satellite
view. Formerly a Coastguard station, the building is now owned
by the Scott Trust and leased to the National Coastwatch Institution.
Located atop a vertical cliff at a headland near Worth Matravers,
about 10 km (6 mi) west of Anvil Point. Site open. Site manager: NCI
St. Alban's Head Lookout Station. Admiralty A0450.

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); quick-flashing white light.
7.5 m (25 ft) mast surrounded by a circular observation deck accessed by a
spiral stairway. Deck painted blue with white trim. Trabas has a photo,
a view from the harbor
is available, and Google has a satellite
view. Located at the end of the south pier at the entrance to the River
Wey in Weymouth. Site open, observation deck open. ARLHS ENG-162; Admiralty
A0346; NGA 0540.

1905. Active; focal plane 22 m (71 ft); white flash every 10 s. 22 m (71
ft) hexagonal cast iron skeletal tower with central cylinder, lantern, and
gallery, all painted white. Trabas has a closeup photo,
a distant view
of the breakwater is available, and Google has a satellite
view. Information on this historic tower is scarce; it is the only active
survivor in England of a type of prefabricated lighthouse that was once quite
common. Located at the south end of the detached northeast breakwater of Portland
Harbour, one of four segments of breakwater that encircle the harbor. Accessible
only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Portland
Harbour Authority. ARLHS ENG-107(=256); Admiralty A0314; NGA 0464.

Portland Breakwater B Head

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red light occulting once
every 15 s. 8 m (26 ft) square concrete tower topped by a short mast. Trabas
has a photo,
and Google has a satellite
view. Located at the northwest end of the detached northeast breakwater
of Portland Harbour. This light and the next frame the north entrance to Portland
Harbour. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Portland
Harbour Authority. ARLHS ENG-344; Admiralty A0320; NGA 0468.

Portland Breakwater C Head

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green light occulting once
every 10 s. 8 m (26 ft) square concrete tower topped by a short mast. Trabas
has a photo,
and Google has a satellite
view. Located at the southeast end of the northern arm of the Portland
Harbour Breakwaters. This light and the previous one frame the north entrance
to Portland Harbour. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Operator: Portland Harbour Authority.
Admiralty A0322; NGA 0472.

1869 (station established 1716). Inactive since 1906. Approx. 25
m (82 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white,
attached to a 2-story annex building. Detached 2-story keeper's house.
Peter Pearson's photo is at right, Photographer's Resource has an
excellent page
for the station, and Google has a street view and a satellite
view. Huelse's historic postcard
view shows the original appearance of this lighthouse. The Bill
of Portland is a sharp cape at the south end of the Isle of Portland, with very dangerous shoals
offshore. The island is joined
to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Three pairs of range lighthouses, built in 1716, 1759, and
1869, respectively, guided ships until they were replaced by a single lighthouse
in 1906. Today, Portland Bill has three standing lighthouses and is one of
England's best-known light stations. The lantern of the 1869 lower
light was removed, and for a time the keeper's houses were used as
a tearoom. In 1961 the complex was reopened as a bird observatory
and ecological field station. A short "lantern room" was
installed; it serves as an observation point for birds, which tend
to concentrate at the Bill during migration. Accommodations
are available in the lighthouse and adjacent keeper's house. Located
on Portland Bill Road about 800 m (1/2 mi) northeast of the active
lighthouse. Accessible by road from Portland, but public parking is
some distance away. Site open; tower closed except for paying guests
and Observatory members. Owner/site manager: Portland
Bird Observatory and Field Centre. ARLHS ENG-109.

1869 (station established 1716). Inactive since 1906. Approx. 12
m (40 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white,
attached to two 1-story keeper's houses. Additional 2-story keeper's
residence. Mike Smith's photo is at right, Tony Weeks has a fine closeup,
and Google has a satellite
view and a distant street view. After deactivation, this lighthouse was sold as a private
residence. After being vacant and deteriorating for 15 years, the
light station has recently been renovated for overnight accommodations.
A new lantern (very different from the original) serves as an observation
point. Located about 1 km (0.6 mi) north of the active lighthouse.
Site open, tower closed except to paying guests. Owner/site manager: The Old Higher Lighthouse.
ARLHS ENG-108.

1906. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flashes with a 20
s period, but the number of flashes varies with direction from one
to four. 41.5 m (136 ft) round sandstone tower, painted white with
a single broad red horizontal band, attached to a large 2-story keeper's
house. Rotating 1st order Fresnel lens. Fog horn (blast every 30 s).
An additional 2-story keeper's residence is occupied by a caretaker.
David Howard's photo appears at the top of this page, Trabas has a closeup by Klaus Kern, Wikimedia has many photos, Huelse has a historic postcard
view, Marinas.com has aerial
photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite
view. A 7 m (23 ft) triangular pyramidal stone obelisk (1844) is near the lighthouse at the extreme point of the cape. The
obelisk is in danger from erosion of the cliff; in 2002 Trinity House
proposed to remove it, but canceled its plans after public protests.
Trinity House has announced that it will open a Lighthouse Visitor Centre in the keeper's house in April 2015. Site open, tower open to guided
tours daily except Saturdays, April through September. Parking
provided; the light station is also accessible by buses from Weymouth.
Operator: Trinity House. Site manager: The
Crown Estate. ARLHS ENG-273; Admiralty A0294; NGA 0448.